ePACE: automated, scalable evolution of biomolecules with therapeutic potential
Official title: ePACE: automation platforms for adaptable and scalable continuous evolution of biomolecules with therapeutic potential
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11575476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at Broad Institute is refining automated, continuous evolution methods to create biomolecules that could become new medicines or biotech tools.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,056,155 |
| NIH project number | 7R01EB027793-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11575476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are researchers and clinicians seeking novel biomolecule therapies or diagnostic tools who may participate indirectly through future clinical translation and collaborations.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient participation is not described; benefits would accrue downstream if therapies reach trials.
What this research studies
This project builds on continuous directed evolution to speed up how biomolecules evolve in cells. By integrating Phage-Assisted Continuous Evolution (PACE) with an automated platform called eVOLVER, it aims to scale up and simplify the process. The work includes hardware and fluidics improvements to enable parallel, sustained evolution and to reach more patients through therapeutically useful biomolecules. The approach leverages existing success in expanding Cas9 targeting to more genomic sites, aiming for broader biomedical applications. The outcome could shorten the path from concept to biomolecule candidates with potential medical uses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could speed the development of new biomolecules for therapies or diagnostics that benefit patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work on PACE and continuous evolution has demonstrated rapid generation of functional biomolecules, with notable advances such as Cas9 variant evolution.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khalil, Ahmad Samir — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Khalil, Ahmad Samir
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.